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The more I watch the replay of Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris' hit on the Cardinals' Deuce Lutui in Week 9, the more I think some of that $7,500 should go to establish the Deuce Lutui Professional Wrestling School.

The view from the pressbox made me think Harris had tagged Lutui up under the facemask, landing a direct shot to the jaw.

Thew view from television replays showed Harris hitting Lutui's facemask. Lutui then writhed the way a pro wrestler would writhe following a faux rake of the eyes.

Lutui missed no plays, had no marks on his face afterward and said the incident was no big deal.

Either way, Harris did strike another player in the helmet with a punch. He deserved to be fined. He arguably deserved to be suspended.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

You read it here Sunday: The NFL should suspend Tommie Harris after the Bears' defensive tackle slugged the Cardinals' Deuce Lutui in the helmet Sunday.

There will be no suspension.

How can that be?

I suspect the league is treating Harris' ejection as the loose equivalent of a one-game suspension. Harris played only four snaps against the Cardinals before the ejection. Had Harris been ejected in, say, the third quarter, I'm guessing the league would have suspended him for the Bears' game against the 49ers on Thursday night.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

CHICAGO -- The Bears' Tommie Harris made the right call in offering a full apology for punching Cardinals guard Deuce Lutui on Sunday.

Earlier, Bears teammate Israel Idonije accused Lutui of dirty play.

Idonije to the Chicago Sun-Times: "He got a reputation for that. We know some guys that have played with him. He's one of those guys, that virus, that cancer. It looked like [he kneed Harris] or something. I thought there was something going on. It's disappointing. I know they don't see all of that stuff, but even the play before they've got to be able to see both sides and see what is really going on. Of course, there are other ways to get people back. There have got to be other options.''

Officials have flagged Lutui twice this season, both times for holding. They have flagged him four times for personal fouls since the 2006 season (twice in 2006, once in 2007 and once last season).

Finding out whether Harris faces a suspension is the next step.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

CHICAGO -- Cardinals guard Deuce Lutui decked Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris twice before Harris threw the punch resulting in his ejection Sunday.

Lutui's actions were within the rules. Harris' were not.

Harris

Lutui

Harris' ejection following only the fourth play from scrimmage followed this play-by-play sequence:

1. The Cardinals threw the ball on first down. Nothing of note happened.
2. Lutui shoved Bears defensive lineman Marcus Harrison after the play. Harris and Lutui made no contact. Harris hit Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner legally after Warner threw the ball.
3. The Cardinals threw again, this time completing a 23-yard pass to Steve Breaston. Lutui decked Harris during the play, then hit Harris again as the defensive tackle tried to get up. The second hit might have been unnecessary. Any defensive lineman would have been ticked off even though Lutui did not appear to violate rules.
4. Lutui quickly pushed Harris at the start of the Cardinals' fourth play, a run. Harris was engaged with center Lyle Sendlein and could not see Lutui. Lutui blocked linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer on the play. Replays did not show what happened immediately next, only Harris' fateful punch to Lutui's facemask while Lutui was down on the ground.

The punch appeared more dramatic from the press box than on replays. Lutui had no noticeable marks on his face after the game. He did not miss any plays.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic adds details to Anquan Boldin's unhappiness after the Cardinals named him inactive Sunday. Somers: "Two witnesses to Whisenhunt's conversation with Boldin said the receiver would not look at the coach during the conversation. One Cardinals veteran expressed surprise that Boldin would complain about the issue after a victory."

Also from Somers: "The subject will be explored again this week, but I don't see how this poisonous relationship can be fixed after this year. Boldin has a year left on his contract, and I would be surprised if he returned in 2010. The Cardinals have to again seriously consider trading him." How much will another team give up for a receiver who will be 30 years old and coming off an injury-affected season? Any team trading for Boldin would also have to pay him.

More from Somers: This was the first week all season Arizona was able to "click on all cylinders" offensively, according to center Lyle Sendlein.

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic says Kurt Warner gave the Bears a lesson in quarterbacking Sunday. Bickley: "In a game book-ended by costly temper tantrums, where one Pro Bowl player was ejected [Tommie Harris] and another sealed his fate in Arizona [Anquan Boldin], Warner stood way above the fray, miles above the next-best player on the field."

Also from Bickley: Harris' ejection hurt Chicago.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Larry Fitzgerald dropped 76 cents in his pocket before the game and two touchdowns on the Bears' secondary during it. Urban: "Fitzgerald now has 482 career receptions, passing Jackie Smith (480) for fifth in franchise history right behind Frank Sanders (493). His 100-yard game was his 22nd, three behind Boldin for most all-time in franchise history. And his 6,607 receiving yards sixth all-time, passing Sanders Sunday and leaving him behind Mel Gray’s 6,644."

Also from Urban: Kurt Warner never expected to throw five touchdown passes, but he'll take 'em after throwing five picks a week earlier.

Scott Bordow of the East Valley Tribune says the Cardinals have officially put behind them the 2006 meltdown defeat to the Bears on "Monday Night Football." Bordow: "It was nearly a perfect afternoon for Arizona. The only sour note was wide receiver Anquan Boldin moaning and groaning about the Cardinals’ decision to inactivate him and that no one was “man enough” to tell him to his face. (Note to Anquan: Your team just won by 20 points. You want to preserve what’s left of your reputation? Then stifle yourself)."

Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com isn't sure what to make of the Cardinals and Bears after this one.

Jarrett Bell of USA Today says Warner completed four passes of at least 17 yards against the Bears. Hitting Steve Breaston for 23 yards on the first drive was huge.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

CHICAGO -- Pro Bowl receiver Anquan Boldin was unhappy with the Cardinals' decision to name him inactive Sunday.

Boldin

Loose sod and overall poor field conditions at Soldier Field led coach Ken Whisenhunt to make the decision 90 minutes before kickoff, the latest allowable time.

Boldin said no one was "man enough" to tell him about the deactivation in person. He said he warmed up and felt great, only to find out upon returning to the locker room that team personnel had removed his equipment from his locker.

This sounds like a miscommunication. Whisenhunt waited until the last possible moment before making the decision. He probably didn't have time to brief Boldin before Boldin returned to the locker room.

I understand Boldin's frustration, but if he complains too loudly following a 41-21 victory, someone will point out the Cardinals' record without him since last season: 5-1, counting playoffs.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

CHICAGO -- Ken Whisenhunt just concluded his postgame news conference by making a crack about how the Cardinals did not let the Bears off the hook, a comedic reference to Dennis Green's famous postgame rant following Arizona's infamous Monday night defeat to Chicago a few years ago.

A check of the afternoon scoreboard tells me Seahawks and 49ers fans might not find Whisenhunt's levity amusing.

The Lions are leading the Seahawks, 17-7, while the Titans lead the 49ers, 9-3.

Yikes.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

CHICAGO -- The Cardinals took the Bears' best shot -- a first-quarter sucker punch from defensive tackle Tommie Harris to guard Deuce Lutui's head -- and did not blink.

They again distinguished themselves from the NFC West pack by beating a decent team on the road.

Arizona improbably improved its road record to 4-0. The focus will now shift to the Cardinals' inability to win home games. Arizona, always up for a challenge, will probably refocus its fury upon visiting Seattle in Week 10.

The Cardinals then visit the Rams in Week 11, followed by a trip to Tennessee.

Beating the Bears put Arizona in strong position to match its record through 10 games last season (7-3) and possibly get to 8-3. If the Cardinals can get to that mark, the rest of the division will have a very difficult time catching them. Nothing is automatic with Arizona, of course, so the team should proceed into this three-game soft stretch with caution. Facing a division opponent in Week 10 should help the Cardinals keep their focus.

Establishing a strong ground game against the Bears gives the Cardinals a needed confidence boost in that phase of the game. The Cardinals will become dynamic offensively if they can build on their most impressive rushing performance since the playoffs last season. Kurt Warner matched a career high with five touchdown passes Sunday largely because the team established credibility on the ground early in the game.

That must continue for Arizona to realize its potential.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

CHICAGO -- Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt erred by replacing Kurt Warner with plenty of time for the Bears to rally.

More than any team, the Cardinals should have been on guard in this situation. They haven't shown the maturity to play consistently well. Quite a few players remain from the team that famously blew a huge lead against the Bears in the game that launched Dennis Green into Coors Light stardom.

Jay Cutler's interception might bail out Whisenhunt. The Cardinals shouldn't have needed a turnover to close out this game.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

CHICAGO -- Combined stats through one quarter for Jay Cutler and Kurt Warner: 15 of 19 passing for 203 yards, three TDs and zero interceptions.

The Bears haven't even tried to establish a running game. The Cardinals have established one very well to this point.

That should favor Warner as the game progresses.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

CHICAGO -- The NFL needs to -- and probably will -- suspend Bears defensive lineman Tommie Harris after Harris punched Cardinals guard Deuce Lutui in the face.

Referee Ed Hochuli ejected Harris.

Harris and Lutui had tangled on the ground earlier in the game. Harris lost his cool the second time, slugging Lutui in the head while Lutui was on the ground. I'm not sure what Lutui did to enrage Harris. Either way, it was bush-league stuff from Harris.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

CHICAGO -- Anquan Boldin's status overshadowed the Cardinals' decision to name another starter inactive against the Bears.

Inside linebacker Gerald Hayes is also sitting out this game.

Hayes is a good run defender. Ali Highsmith starts in Hayes' usual spot.

The Bears' running game has not been strong this season. A good week for Hayes to sit out, if he had to miss a game? We shall find out.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The NFL Nation blog is hosting an in-game discussion featuring various ESPN staffers, including the eight divisional bloggers.

Follow the link to participate.

I'll be contributing from Soldier Field.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

CHICAGO -- The Cardinals will not be able to blame the weather if their passing game falters against the Bears.

The temperature is 63 degrees, with light winds. The orange flags atop the goalposts are limp. Skies are bright, hazy and partly cloudy.

Perfect conditions for playing catch in the park -- or Soldier Field, in this case.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

CHICAGO -- Anquan Boldin warmed up for the Cardinals at Soldier Field on Sunday morning, but the team named him inactive at the last minute.

Boldin

The decision gives Boldin a week to recover from the ankle injury he aggravated against the Panthers in Week 8.

Sitting down Boldin strikes me as a smart decision. If allowed to play, Boldin would have toughed it out, perhaps at the expense of his ability to recover -- and arguably at the expense of the offense.

Steve Breaston joins Larry Fitzgerald in the starting lineup at receiver. Jerheme Urban becomes the third receiver. Early Doucet is active after getting additional reps during the week. Doucet, a third-round draft choice in 2008, hasn't had many opportunities. It's important for him to play well.

Also inactive for the Cardinals: safety Rashad Johnson, linebacker Gerald Hayes, tackle Herman Johnson, guard Brandon Keith, tight end Stephen Spach and tight end Dominique Byrd. Brian St. Pierre is the third quarterback.

Spach was healthy enough to be active this week.